GMB PANTHERS LINE UP THE NEXT GENERATION WITH BOXILL AND NORTON

The GMB Nottingham Panthers have made a double-signing on the British front with the return of Tom Norton and the addition of Jonathon Boxill.
Tom is no stranger to the Panthers having come through the junior programme in Nottingham and at just 22-years-old he has already dresssed more than 150 times for the senior team. He had 20 assists during last season’s campaign with Peterborough in the EPL and played in the same league with Milton Keynes the year before that.

The former GB junior international defenceman has remained in close contact with the Panthers’ organisation and was never far off the radar.

Head Coach Corey Neilson said: “We know Tom very well and we think it is time for him to come back up to the top flight. He listens and he learns and coaches can’t ask for much more than that. Others have gone down a league and come back strong, look at Robert Lachowicz and the progress he has made since he came back up. Tom has a great attitude and there’s no reason why he can’t do something similar.”

Jon Boxill is a new face to Nottingham and a new name to the Elite League. He’s from Bracknell but went to America when he was sixteen and has played college and university hockey there, including the last four seasons at New England College.
Neilson said: “We’ve checked Jon out and hear good things and we are confident he will fit in with our style and our plans. His college coach speaks highly of him, he was the second top scorer at New England last season (15 points in 26 games). He’s 24-years-old now and he’s coming back to his home country to play professionally for the Panthers. That’ll be a big challenge for him, but that’s why guys go through minor programmes and university programmes.

“Tom and Jon are part of the next generation of home-grown talent. It’s going to be good watching them bring that forward in the Panthers’ uniforms.”